A new mathematical formula to predict the foetal weight in twin pregnancies: A comparison of it with 19 different formulas

Abstract

One hundred and seventy-two twin-pregnant patients were enrolled. The estimated foetal weight was calculated using 19 different formulas. Ong's formula (0.954 (95%CI = 0.938/0.966)), which was designed specifically for twins, produced the highest Cronbach's alpha value followed by Hadlock II (0.952 (95%CI = 0.935/0.965)), Hadlock I (0.952 (95%CI = 0.935/0.964)), Hadlock III (0.952 (95%CI = 0.935/0.964)), Hadlock IV (0.952 (95%CI = 0.935/0.964)) and our formula (0.952 (95%CI = 0.935/0.964)), which produced the same Cronbach's alpha values for twin A. For twin B, our formula produced the highest Cronbach's alpha value (0.961 (95%CI = 0.948/0.972) followed by Hadlock II (0.960 (95%CI = 0.946/0.971)), Hadlock I (0.960 (95%CI = 0.946/0.970)), Hadlock III (0.960 (95%CI = 0.946/0.970)) and Hadlock IV (0.960 (95%CI = 0.946/0.970)). In conclusion, our formula (AC, FL) performed well in predicting the foetal weights in twin pregnancies (>24 weeks) in our study. However, it should be tested in other populations. Hadlock II (AC, FL) produced a comparable performance to Hadlock I (BPD, HC, AC, FL), Hadlock III (BPD, AC, FL) and Hadlock IV (HC, AC, FL). Hadlock II may be preferable in twin pregnancies since it is based on AC and FL only.

Keywords: Foetal weight assessment; birth weight; foetal weight estimation; prenatal ultrasonography; twin pregnancy.